Anyone who has spent some time in the province of Alberta, Canada will likely have travelled between its two largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary. The road most travelled is Highway 2, at under three hours it’s the most direct route if you want to quickly get from one city to the other.

After picking up a 2014 Acura MDX loaner from Acura Canada’s Calgary office one June morning, I hopped onto Highway 2 towards Edmonton, only to exit off after just a few minutes. I had already decided weeks beforehand that I wouldn’t be taking Highway 2 North. I was Westbound, towards the majestic Rocky Mountains of Alberta. This detour would eventually lead me to Edmonton, but not before experiencing a road trip through one of the most scenic drives in in the world: Banff to Jasper via Highway 93, also known as the Icefields Parkway.

Similar to their 2014 Acura RLX TV Commercial, Acura Canada has once again opted for a more performance-oriented approach than their American counterparts. Launching the all-new 2014 MDX from a hanger bay like a jet, the focus remains on the driving experience and the sporty nature of their vehicles.

“Prepare to take your driving experience to a higher ground with the all-new 2014 MDX. With advanced driving features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, and an “Executive Aero Sculpture” design, the MDX is the SUV that redefines the SUV experience.”

Acura Canada’s Performance Experience visited select cities across the country and put regular drivers on the track to test the 2014 RLX. Here’s a recap video from the events:

“In June we invited Acura drivers from all over Canada to track test the all-new 2014 RLX. See how the Acura Performance Experience unfolded as participants tested out revolutionary features such as the Precision All-Wheel Steer and Adaptive Cruise Control.”

For a brand that often takes pride in the available tech in its models, many were puzzled when they learned Acura did not offer a navigation package in the sportier, 2.4-liter 6-speed manual ILX. That changes for the 2014 model year ILX, as Acura Canada has just released details on the new Dynamic ILX.

Previously, Acura Canada’s Dynamic package was the equivalent of the ILX 6-Speed Manual with Premium Package, but for 2014 it adds Acura Navigation, HomeLink, and Acura/ELS SurroundSound. Or if you want to think of it another way, the ILX Tech gets offered with a 2.4-litre and 6-speed manual:

“For driving enthusiasts seeking luxury, ILX Dynamic shifts expectations. We’ve taken the ILX Tech and made it a high performance thrill thanks to a 2.4-litre, DOHC, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. torque and a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Metal racing pedals round out the package and remind you of the perfect balance of luxury and performance in the ILX Dynamic.”

No word yet on other changes, but we would hope the US will also follow suit with this package.

You’ll notice a huge difference in the direction Acura Canada took to showcase the 2014 Acura RLX. While the US commercial features a voice-over narrating a lifestyle full of luxuries, the Canadian ad is more driver-oriented, focusing on new technologies like the new direct-injected engine and P-AWS. With great visuals and sound, it’s a bit of an adrenaline rush that might have been better suited to introduce the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD RLX coming this fall.

While Canadians still await the official on-sale date of their 2014 RLX, Acura Canada invites you to take a peek inside their upcoming RLX commercial with the “making of” video below:

“Go behind the scenes of the very first Acura RLX commercial, and see the exciting work and dedication that has gone into our most advanced Acura to date. See the final commercial March 20th exclusively on Facebook.”